A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ghent vs. Bilbao for Nightlife, Attractions, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Ghent or Bilbao?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ghent and Bilbao. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Ghent

Ghent is a under-rated, youthful, and high energy city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a industrial, authentic, and colorful city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Ghent and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Bilbao?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bilbao than Ghent. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Bilbao is very popular for its big city activities, while Ghent attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Ghent is famous for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets Bilbao is famous for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks. It is also well known for The Guggenheim Museum.

How is Ghent different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bilbao and Ghent. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ghent or Bilbao?

Both Ghent and Bilbao have excellent landmarks and museums for visitors.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Ghent. The city has many different sights that are concentrated in a compact area. Make sure you check out the Cathedral of St. Bavo, The Fortress of Gravensteen, and The Belfry. The audio tour at Gravensteen really brings the history to life and makes for an enjoyable activity.

Bilbao offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. A favorite museum in town is the popular Guggenheim Museum. From its iconic building to the unique exhibits, this is a must-see stop during your visit. Other highlights around town include the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, the Museo Vasco, as well as the city's unique bridges.

Is the Food Better in Ghent or Bilbao? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ghent is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Bilbao is not a culinary destination.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Ghent. The food scene is diverse and international, but there are also many local dishes and flavors that you should try. Pas de Rouge is a local cheese and mastel is a local bread. Ganda ham is also a popular meat that is dried and salted. In additional to traditional restaurants, you'll find almost any international cuisine that you could want.

Bilbao is not a culinary destination. The food scene is among the best in Spain. The city has several world renowned restaurants, including a few Michelin-starred restaurants, but there are also smaller eateries that cater to the locals and tourists alike. Make sure you try the pintxos, which are small dishes that are the Basque region's answer to tapas. Many include seafood and are cooked with olive oil and garlic.

Is Ghent or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Ghent has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. With its young student population, you'll find plenty of lively bars and clubs around town. There are many places where you can party or dance into the early hours of the morning and some of the best places are around Oude Beestenmarkt, De Overpoort, and De Vlasmarkt. There's also the famous Ghent Festival every July.

Many people head to Bilbao for the nightlife scene. There's a great late night scene that centers around eating and drinking. There are lively nightclubs, a good live music scene, and no shortage of people heading out on the town.

Is Ghent or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is well known for its old town. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Ghent. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.

Bilbao has an old town worth visiting. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Bilbao?

Both Ghent and Bilbao are excellent shopping destinations.

Ghent is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has the largest pedestrian shopping area in Belgium, making it a great place to explore on foot. The city has several different shopping areas which each have their own style and personality. You'll find everything from major European brands to local boutiques and street markets.

Bilbao is well-known for its shopping. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Is Ghent or Bilbao Better for Families?

Both Ghent and Bilbao are nice family-friendly destinations.

Ghent is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a fun atmosphere with kid-friendly restaurants and a number of attractions that appeal to all ages. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring Gravensteen, which is the "Castle of Counts". You can also take a boat tour, rent bikes, or head to one of the town's playgrounds so the kids can burn off some energy.

Bilbao is a family-friendly city. The city offers some great museums such as the Guggenheim Museum. Families will also enjoy taking a ride of the Artxander Funicular, and exploring Mercado de la Ribera. You can also enjoy walking around Park Abandoibarra and exploring the creative sculptures.

Is Ghent or Bilbao Better for Couples?

Ghent is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Ghent frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It makes a great weekend getaway with a diverse restaurant scene, nice hotels, and plenty of historic attractions that you can explore.

Bilbao is a good city for couples to visit. The city is filled with a vibrant enjoy with parks and outdoor strolls that couples will enjoy. There are also many great museums and romantic restaurants as well as some great shopping streets.

Is Ghent or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Ghent and Bilbao are nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Ghent. The city has a number of hostels to choose from as well as a young vibe with a large student population. Many people overlook Ghent, but it feels more genuine than nearby Bruges, which attracts the larger tourist crowds.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bilbao. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and a good social scene that makes it easy to meet other backpackers.

Is Ghent or Bilbao Better for Students?

Ghent is an amazing city to visit for students. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Ghent is a very popular place to visit for students. The city is very popular with international students so it has a young and energetic vibe with plenty to do throughout the year.

It's common for students to visit Bilbao. This is a popular study abroad destination with many great museums and educational opportunities for international students.

Is Ghent or Bilbao Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Ghent is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Ghent is top-notch. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Bilbao. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

Is Ghent or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Ghent is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Ghent is a very walkable city. The area's with the most tourist attractions are generally walkable.

Bilbao is a somewhat walkable city. It's a fairly walkable city with several pedestrian-friendly areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Ghent Worth Visiting? and Is Bilbao Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Bilbao?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ghent and Bilbao. In our opinion, Ghent has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Ghent than Bilbao. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Ghent, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bilbao.

Families should spend more time in Ghent than Bilbao. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Ghent, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Ghent than Bilbao. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Ghent that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ghent than Bilbao if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Ghent.

One day in Ghent or Bilbao?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Ghent. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Bilbao, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this industrial destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Ghent or Bilbao?

Ghent is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bilbao. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Ghent or Bilbao?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ghent. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Bilbao is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bilbao. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Ghent or Bilbao?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated destination of Ghent. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the colorful destination of Bilbao. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.

When comparing the travel costs between Ghent and Bilbao, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ghent Expensive? and Is Bilbao Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Bilbao?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 52% larger than the population of Ghent. When comparing the sizes of Ghent and Bilbao, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Ghent or Bilbao?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Ghent or Bilbao in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Bilbao. The summer months attract visitors to Ghent because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.

In the summer, Ghent is cooler than Bilbao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ghent in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Bilbao averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In Ghent, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ghent usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bilbao during summer. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ghent usually receives more rain than Bilbao. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ghent or Bilbao in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Bilbao. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bilbao for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Ghent is generally cooler than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 12°C (54°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Bilbao. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Ghent usually gets less rain in October than Bilbao. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Bilbao in the Winter?

Both Bilbao and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Ghent for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bilbao in the winter for the museums and the shopping scene.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ghent. Ghent is much colder than Bilbao in the winter. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Bilbao fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Bilbao during winter. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. In January, Ghent usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ghent or Bilbao in the Spring?

Both Bilbao and Ghent during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Ghent in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bilbao for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Ghent is cooler than Bilbao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ghent in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Bilbao averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Ghent often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun.

Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ghent usually gets less rain in April than Bilbao. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Ghent